Why Lacey and Larkin Frontera Fund and Other Human Rights Group are Essential in the Country

Debates ensue over the need to champion human and civil rights for immigrants by migrant rights advocates. While it is viable to incorporate them, there are some limitations.

Despite having a rich tradition of civic and political rights, the United States still assigns little meaning to cultural and socio-economic rights that are just as important.

The Arizona Senate Bill 1070, is a classic example of the need for civil rights in immigration policy. The law attracted attention nationally, with many claiming that the law supports racial profiling. Since its introduction in 2010, several court cases were submitted to counter and amend provisions in the bill.

In a ruling made by Judge Susan Bolton several provisions were barred including; detaining someone accused of committing a crime until their immigration status is known, and prohibition of undocumented migrants to seek and apply for jobs.

The fight for migrant rights is not as easy today as several state laws have restrictions. Migrant rights advocates continue to dialogue with the various states to enable a smooth coexistence. There are human, civic and migrant rights groups that do a commendable job at state, national and global level.

Lacey and Larkin Frontera fund

Two local journalists, Mike Lacey and Jim Larkin, were arrested for highlighting the social injustices committed by Joe Arpaio, the then county Sheriff of Maricopa and the state of the prison.

The two-addressed racial profiling, illegal detentions, and mistreatment of Latinos. Lacey and Larkin got released within the same day after appeals and outcry from the people.

The Frontera Fund’s objective is to address the rights and freedoms of the Hispanic community in Arizona. The fund supports non-profits that work for a similar course. Their objective is to curb the fear perpetuated by political groups about Hispanics and Brown skins.

Their programs and policies are customed to encourage humane and sound immigration policies, ensure justice for immigrants as provided for by the law and align migrant laws with the constitutional provisions.

They have a pool of immigration lawyers who operate through the American Immigration Lawyers Association that help them implement their programs.

Other groups that advocate for human, civic and migrant laws are the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Network for Immigrants and Refugee Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union among others.

These organizations are contributing to policy building, national building and general advocacy for rights and freedoms for all. Over the last one year, discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of migrants have taken center stage in the media and political agendas.

Human rights organizations provide the needed balance in such discussions.